Culture shock

Travel is the best example of the internal dissonance we face when taken out of our comfort zone. For some, doing a bit of exercise would be just as disturbing. If you are reading this at a cafe surrounded by more paper than a hamster in the office shredder, chances are this is you.

Media outlets around the country have screamed in horror at the -˜culture’ of disrespect found in the NRL.

The Catholics have the perfect answer, of course: fix it or we take our kids out! That way the remaining players don’t need to adjust to the demands placed on them by clubs and supporters.

I found it all a bit of a no-brainer really: we all knows what happens when we give young people money, accolades and treat them like royalty, floating in a sea of alcohol or drugs.

The Old Boys Club sent their sacrificial lamb to the altar, safely barricading the sport within the walls, along with the men and women who will feed in the frenzy. Ghosts remain in the land of the long white cloud, the fortress remains impenetrable.

Sydney’s own Convicts Rugby Club by comparison revelled in the joy of playing hard and fast against the Army Boys. Was there any innuendo? Probably. Indecency in the changerooms? Perhaps in the minds of the Convicts as they psychologically terrified their opponents.

The Convicts instead stage manage the Full Monty in their Rugger Bugger show at the Shift. This is how you can be who you are -” and if you want to flaunt it, do so for a good cause in an appropriate venue.

Is one of these groups so vastly different from the other? They both know how to drink and party hard, and show no mercy on the field.

In short, yes; the Convicts let everyone know who they are and are open about their conduct. If you want information, it’s available and the committee is accessible to all.

It’s a shame the Convicts have to work so hard raising money for their interstate and international matches, in spite of their two Bingham Cup wins.

info: Team Sydney has a vast array of gay and lesbian friendly sports clubs for you to participate in: teamsydney.org.au